aarickasmom
I have been a huge fan of Robert Ulrich and JoAnna Kerns for a very long time. I never watched them on their TV Shows, but I have enjoyed watching them in Mini Series and on Lifetime Movies. I also read Joe McGinnis' book about this case.It was a very good Movie. Great Cast and great Author. I like watching True Crime Movies but am always saddened by the tragedies that the real life People that had to live through these moments in their lives.I just found out several days ago, that I am kin to the David Andrews in this Movie. I think he may be my second or third Cousin (if he is the Son of Actor, Dana Andrews). I have seen him in several Movies but never knew I was kin to him. I have a Son whose name is also David Andrews and we used to kid him whenever we saw David Andrews' name on TV, that he was a Movie Star. :)
jpaparozzi
This is an excellent, heart wrenching film; I cry every time I see how devastated those children were with the murder of their loving mom and the trial of their father. This film, more than any other film depicting a true crime story, takes one through the tumultuous upheaval that a victim of a violent crime suffers(in this case, these boys are the victims of their mom's murder by their dad.) Other true crime story films depict the violence or the plight of the defendant. As a former prosecutor and prison counselor, I know first hand that the victims of crime are too often ignored by the criminal justice system. This film hits an emotional home run in telling the victims' stories. The relationship between Maria Marshall and her sons is the cornerstone of the film, and it makes one realize the depth of suffering one endures with so senseless a crime. Her beauty as a loving mother is contrasted with Robert Marshall's self absorbed obsession with himself and his needs. Caught in the middle are three innocent children, devoted sons to both parents, believing with "blind faith" in the innocence of their dad despite the overwhelming evidence unfolding before them. Despite its length (4 hours), the film and the book by Joe McGinnis are worth your time. The 20th anniversary of Maria's murder is September 7, 2004.
wroache
I saw the two part mini-series when it first aired in 1990 and read the book soon after.It is a very typical true life crime drama, that can pretty much be summed up with - a rich New Jersey man has his wife (the mother of his 3 sons) murdered for the insurance money and he gets caught. Nothing great or spectacular. No last minute twists or turns, no police evidence tampering, no plot that backfires. Just a regular old murder for hire, that was not even well known outside the Jersey area until the book and movie came out.Such a simple drama could have easily been a 2 hour TV-movie but instead was a two parter, 4 hours long. It was boring to watch, since it just dragged on and on. Most of the movie was about the man's sons being upset about their mother's murder and their father's involvement, which got old real quick.I would recommend reading the book over watching the movie since the book covers a lot more of the police investigation and trial than the movie does. As I said, the movie primarily focuses on the guy's sons.If you wanna be bored you can catch the movie on Lifetime sometimes.
tazzzzz
This was not a completely bad movie, but it would have been much better if it fit into a 2 hour TV block rather than 4. If you're fascinated by true crime, you may be interested in this, since it is based on a true story. Otherwise, there are better murder mysteries to see that will take less of your time.
AD
